It's Not A Childcare But A Contract Marriage - Chapter 9 Part 2

Returning to his office, the Duke of Ivernum sat down and recollected the conversation that had taken place before he stepped off the carriage.

“Ah! By the way, Duke, how did you end up there earlier?”

“Hmm?”

“I was so surprised by the sudden appearance of the Duke! I had requested that only one ducal knight be sent, just in case.”

“…”

Just like that.

Despite making bold propositions, Evely Sinkere usually displayed a rather cautious attitude and wouldn’t leave the mansion without taking precautions.

‘But she backed off.’

She had spread rumors among the family and discussed with others using her own mouth, but she had only requested one knight as a precaution in case of an awkward encounter.

Dangerously.

‘She thought one knight would be enough to put her at ease.’

When confronted with the Countess Sinkerega and her family, who else could defeat them single-handedly?

Assuming that direct confrontation might be excessive or that it might not necessarily be the case with her family.

In that moment, the calculations he would normally review vanished from his mind.

“As you said. Didn’t I send it?”

“Yes? There is the Duke and the Knight…”

“I am a knight as well.”

“…”

“And a branch of the duke family.”

“Duke, knight… What kind of nonsensical addition is that?”

The corner of the Duke’s mouth curved upward as he recalled the foolish expression of the pale-faced man who had looked at him with admiration.

Unconsciously, a rare smile surfaced on his face as he suddenly became aware of what he was holding in his hand.

“…”

A glove large enough to slip onto someone’s hand.

Just before getting off the carriage, she had thanked him and reluctantly returned the gloves, her red eyes filled with gratitude.

The duke couldn’t help but feel a sense of annoyance and disdain.

‘Even if she were to wear it as is, no one would say a word.’

The cold she mentioned in the carriage wasn’t the only reason for her trembling, which she didn’t want to reveal.

Although the climate of the capital was relatively mild, she had a slender body that might not be able to endure the early winter cold.

Her complexion was so pale that he worried she might genuinely be suffering from the cold.

He particularly remembered how she hid her white fingertips in her clenched fists, not wanting to reveal her agitation in front of the Sinkere family.

Her petite shoulders, which she had worked so hard to straighten, drew his attention.

Perhaps they would crumble at any moment. Contrary to his expectations, her voice resonated confidently.

“…”

The duke, still lost in his thoughts about the scene, called for an aide.

“My Lord. Did you call for me?”

“What about the task I assigned you?”

“Ah, yes! I have included all the major details in the report. And here is the report that calculates the estimated timeline.”

The aide handed the bundle of papers to his master, wearing a proud expression.

‘Phew. It was quite tight on time, but I managed to finish it.’

He wondered if even the lord would be surprised by his subordinate’s competence. Feeling mischievous, the aide puffed out his chest confidently.

But in the next moment…

As always, as if not a single needle could penetrate, the lord’s words cut through the air, deflating the aide’s pride like a balloon.

“These. Pull them all in and proceed.”

“Yes? Even these ones here?”

The startled aide questioned, but there was no change in the instructions.

“Is there a problem?”

“Well, it’s already quite fast. Some of them have already reached the maximum allotted time.”

“Allocate more resources.”

There was only one response the aide could give to the master’s request for a comprehensive solution.

“Yes, my lord…”

The aide mourned his future, which would be crushed for the time being, while inwardly sobbing.